Exclusive extra scene: 'The Dining Club' by Marina Anderson

Exclusive extra scene: 'The Dining Club' by Marina Anderson

Today HEA shares an exclusive extra scene from The Dining Club by Marina Anderson. The Dining Club is Forever Romance’s first serialized novel, published in eight installments, the first of which (Desire) arrived last week, through Oct. 1. It’s billed as appealing to readers of Sylvia Day, J. Kenner and E.L. James.

Here’s the blurb to get you oriented The Dining Club (courtesy of publisher Forever):

Young, ambitious theatre director Grace has no time for distractions, but she just cannot resist enigmatic city financier, David. Alluring, charismatic and an incredible lover – David never lets Grace get too close. So when he invites her to a weekend at his private club, Grace is thrilled.

Arriving at the secluded location, and excited by her nerves, David reveals the truth behind the Dining Club: a place where guests are taught to open their minds, and their bodies to erotic challenges. If she passes the tests, she is promised ecstasy beyond her wildest fantasies. If she fails, she’s forbidden to ever set foot in the exclusive club again. But even as David’s seductive commands make Grace feel more daring than ever before, she begins to fear for their future. What if she fails one of the Club’s tantalizing trials? Will David still want her or will she lose him forever?

Here’s the extra scene of when Grace and David first meet across a crowded room . . .

The fundraising gala was extremely crowded, much to Grace’s delight, as one of the organising committee. Dressed in smart, figure-hugging black jeans and a low-cut cream silk shirt, she’d been trying to get away from Sam, the director of the entertainment for the evening, for over twenty minutes now and was starting to panic that she would never manage to sell the rest of her allotted raffle tickets.

“Crave,” part three of “The Dining Club” by Marina Anderson. (Photo: Forever)

‘Here’s your Champagne, darling,’ said a man’s deep, smooth voice from just behind her. ‘I’m sorry I took so long but the bar is packed.’

Turning round she found herself face to face with a total stranger. She knew she would never have forgotten meeting such a good-looking man – especially one with his utterly mesmerising eyes – and looked at him in surprise.

‘You must excuse us,’ he continued charmingly, ‘but I’d like to reclaim her now.’

Grace couldn’t suppress a smile of relief when Sam immediately apologised, vanishing into the crowded room. ‘I’m very grateful, but I don’t think I know you, do I?’ she asked, taking the proffered glass of Champagne.

‘Not yet. I’m David, and you looked as though you needed rescuing.’

She laughed. ‘My name’s Grace and I definitely did. Sam is brilliant, but incredibly insecure. I thought I’d never get away. Is rescuing damsels in distress your speciality?’

‘As a matter of fact, no; I prefer to lead them astray,’ he replied, but he didn’t smile as he said it. His blue eyes were looking intently at her, and all at once she found it inexplicably difficult to breathe. ‘That sounds far more interesting!’ she retorted, gathering her wits together.

Only then did he smile. ‘Good. Are you here with anyone?’

‘Yes, I’m one of a group of fringe theatre directors. We’re all hoping to help raise the money that’s needed…’

‘I know that. I meant on a personal level.’

Grace’s wished her blouse wasn’t quite so low-cut as he continued to study her intently, with obvious interest and admiration. ‘No,’ she replied, wondering if she was being sensible, but not wanting him to vanish from her side. There was something about him that was incredibly attractive, quite apart from the way he looked. She had no idea what it was, but she wanted to find out.

‘Neither am I. Shall we leave together?’ He slipped his right hand under her left elbow, in what felt to her suddenly highly sensitive skin like a caress.

Grace was shocked, but more than a little intrigued. ‘I have to sell 15 books of raffle tickets first,’ she said carefully.

‘I’ll buy them,’ he replied, opening his wallet. ‘How much?’

As she told him, and took the money, she was aware that they were surrounded by scores of people all talking loudly, and yet it seemed as though they were totally cut off from the chattering throng, aware only of each other.

Guiding her through the crowd, one hand resting gently in the small of her back, he manoeuvred her to the outer doors only pausing long enough for her to put his money into the box.

“Bound,” part two of “The Dining Club” by Marina Anderson. (Photo: Forever)

‘You didn’t sign the stubs,’ she said.

‘I have my prize,’ he said smiling wryly, and she trembled slightly. Her body seemed unnaturally alive, all her nerve endings too close to the surface. It was both exciting and frightening.

A chauffeur-driven car was waiting outside for him, parked on a double yellow line. ‘Would you like to come to mine?’ he asked, opening the passenger door for her.

Grace suddenly felt nervous. It had all been exciting and slightly reckless so far, but now she realised how far out of her comfort zone she was. ‘But’, she stammered, ‘we’ve only just met!’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Isn’t this what you want? It’s what I want. I thought you felt the same.’

He was right. It was what she wanted; she knew that. She’d never felt this way about a man before, and had certainly never slept with a stranger, but she was totally consumed with desire for him, although she had no idea why. There was just something about him that was drawing her to him, as though through him she was going to discover something wonderful, something that had so far always eluded her in love.

‘Yes, it is what I want,’ she admitted after a pause, during which he stood waiting, his eyes fixed on her face.

‘Would you prefer it if we went to yours? Would that make you feel more relaxed.’

‘Yes, I suppose it would. I’ve never done anything like this before,’ she added.

‘I didn’t imagine that you had, but that makes it all the more exciting, don’t you think?’ he said.

Once they were in the car he closed the partition between them and the driver and moved closer to her on the back seat. Gently he turned her face towards him, and as he buried his hands in her long, dark hair he whispered ‘I wanted you the moment I saw you,’ and then he began kissing her and she was lost.

When she was finally drifting off to sleep in the early hours of the morning, exhausted by the pleasure he’d given her that night, she realised she didn’t yet know anything about him apart from his name. Turning over she moved closer to him.

‘Are you all right?’ he murmured sleepily.

‘I just realised the only thing I know about you is your name!’

‘Well, not quite the only thing’ he replied, turning over so that he could wrap his arms round her. ‘Don’t worry. You’ll learn a lot more as we get to know each other better.’

‘I can’t wait,’ she said as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

‘Neither can I,’ whispered David to himself. ‘Believe me, Grace, neither can I.’

To find out more, follow Forever Romance on Twitter (@foreverromance) using the hashtag #DirtyDining. And check out Forever’s Facebook page to see what Marina and the Forever publishing team desires, craves, etc.